Reinterpretation of Traditional Motifs in Contemporary Nepali Paintings
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Central Department of English
Abstract
Contemporary Nepali paintings reread and reinterpret the traditional art works like
manuscript illuminations,paubha,patachitra, wall paintings and sculptures. The artists have
reformulated and reintegrated the images, icons and symbols of these early works in the
paintings of our time. The structure ofmandalaand religious subject matters are also recycled.
While doing so, the contemporary Nepali artists exploit the western techniques like
impressionist, expressionist, cubist, abstractionist, surrealistand abstract expressionist as tools.
As the artists share native tradition as well as plural western art forms, the resultant art works
appear to be open-ended. Their significances are not certain and fixed but contingent, multiple
and provisional. They speak of cultural self and cultural other. The art works are interconnected
not only to its tradition but also western arts. The artists appropriate both western canons and
native tradition to express their feelings and emotions in response to the presentsocio-political
context.